12 things to do around D.C. in January, including curling and a David Bowie dance party

For four days, over 20,000 gaming enthusiasts from across the world will gather — many in cosplay — at National Harbor for the annual Music and Gaming Festival. Unlike most video-game conventions, MAGFest’s retains an independent business model: It eschews major corporate sponsors and instead relies on donations and ticket sales to drive its nonprofit operations. The event’s robust schedule offers nearly 96 straight hours of gaming tournaments, panel discussions, lectures, live music, vendors and access to hundreds of arcade, tabletop, LAN and console games. It’s an ambitious and outlandish event that should appeal to die-hard gamers and curious spectators. $75-$85. — Stephanie Williams

When Town Danceboutique closed last year, it left a sizable void in Washington’s LGBTQ nightlife scene. But DJ Lemz hopes to carry on Town’s legacy with his new queer dance party. Bent’s inaugural show at 9:30 Club features an eclectic range of dance music from Lemz along with fellow local DJs KeenanOrr and the Barber Streisand, in addition to stage performances from Pussy Noir, Donna Slash and Bombalicious Eklaver. Bent is built on the promise of offering a safe space that’s free of judgment from the outside world, even if it’s just for one night. Doors open at 10 p.m. $15. — Stephanie Williams

So much happened in 2018 that it’s easy to forget that the Winter Olympics came and went. As happens every four years, viewers fell for curlers — the shouting and sweeping athletes. Try your hand at the game that puts shuffleboard on ice at the Wharf this month. Beginners are welcome (ages 8 and older), so no need to bring brooms or stones — soft-soled tennis shoes are requested, though — and enjoy it all with samples of winter-themed cocktails. Mondays from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. through Jan. 28. Free. — Hau Chu

Sure, you could watch your standard Broadway film adaptation and be delighted by the starry-eyed translation of theatrics to the silver screen, but the Library of Congress has dug through its vault to find more interesting looks at the relationship between stage and film. The Mary Pickford Theater will be screening movies every Thursday starting the 10th, including “Staying Alive,” a bizarre sequel to “Saturday Night Fever” in which John Travolta reprises his leading role under the direction of Sylvester Stallone. Kick things off when the series opens with the 1979 classic “All That Jazz” by Bob Fosse (of “Cabaret” and “Chicago” fame), which is a semi-autobiographical tale of an acclaimed Broadway director who is consumed by his art. Thursdays at 7 p.m. through Jan. 31. Free. — Hau Chu

American Son, located in the Eaton hotel, is one of the spots participating in Metropolitan Washington Restaurant Week. (Deb Lindsey/For The Washington Post)

Winter Restaurant Weeks, starting Jan. 11

It’s tempting to eat somewhere new in January, since restaurants all over the region are offering affordable prix-fixe menus. First up is Bethesda Magazine’s winter Restaurant Week (Jan. 11-20); participating Montgomery County restaurants, including El Sapo in Silver Spring, will choose how many courses and what prices will be offered. Continue your dining ad­ven­ture during Metropolitan Washington Restaurant Week (Jan. 14-20), with $35 dinner, $22 lunch and $22 brunch at 250 restaurants across the Washington area. That includes new hot spots such as Eaton hotel’s inventive American Son. Then head to such favorites as Hank’s Pasta Bar in Old Town or the other spots participating in Alexandria Restaurant Week (Jan. 18-27). Special menus on offer will include $35 three-course dinners for one diner, and brunches or lunches at $15 or $22.— Adele Chapin

Three years after David Bowie’s death, fans around the world still love and celebrate the career of the brilliant and chameleon-like singer. DJ Heaven Malone, who created an event called the Bowie Ball to coincide with a Bowie exhibit at Chicago’s Museum of Contemporary Art in 2014, is bringing the festivities to Washington in honor of Bowie’s 72nd birthday. Expect music spanning all eras of Bowie’s discography, in the form of DJ sets by Malone and Simon Pattee, and a performance by Max Goldstein of Yoko and the Oh No’s. Dress to impress: The entertainment includes a Bowie costume contest and a “glitter and glam” makeup booth for Aladdin Sane-inspired face paint. 9 p.m. $8-$10. — Fritz Hahn

This new post-punk supergroup, which sold out the Black Cat last month, has been quietly writing loud songs with an efficiency that only comes with experience. Bassist Mary Timony has made plenty of beautiful noise in Helium and Ex Hex; frontman Alec MacKaye’s combustible shout has anchored a legendary sequence of punk groups, including Faith, Ignition and the Warmers; guitarist Mark Cisneros has played in Des Demonas, Deathfix and Medications; and drummer Chris Wilson has kept time for Ted Leo’s Pharmacists and Titus Andronicus. 10 p.m. $12-$14. — Chris Richards

Salute those elementary-schoolers about to rock in this family-friendly Broadway musical featuring songs from Andrew Lloyd Webber. Based on the 2003 Jack Black film about a substitute teacher who teaches his prep-school charges about AC/DC and Led Zeppelin instead of math, “School of Rock” hits the National Theatre with a show that’s recommended for ages 8 and older. Young theatergoers might be inspired to pick up a guitar after watching their peers perform in a band onstage. $54-$104.— Adele Chapin

Daylight, one of Washington’s best parties for fans of disco, soulful house, rare grooves and throwback hip-hop and R&B, has bounced around town since the 2016 closure of its longtime home, Liv, above Bohemian Caverns. This month, though, Daylight is sliding over to City Winery in Ivy City, which seems like a match for the party’s vibe: Tickets include a flight of four City Winery wines as well as dancing to DJ Divine’s selections. 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. $10-$20. — Fritz Hahn

Playwright Kenneth Lin’s television credits include “House of Cards,” but now he’s tackling a real-life political power struggle with his new work, “Kleptocracy,” which is making its world premiere at Arena Stage this month. This work of fiction, inspired by actual events, is an origin story of sorts on Vladimir Putin: “Kleptocracy” is set in the wake of the Soviet Union’s collapse as a young Putin maneuvers against Russia’s oligarchs to steer the country’s new course. $56-$105.— Adele Chapin

Kacey Musgraves, shown performing at the 52nd annual CMA Awards in November, is playing a sold-out show at the Anthem this month. (Photo by Charles Sykes/Invision/AP)

When Kacey Musgraves released her sparkling album “Golden Hour” in 2018, there was the usual hand-wringing: Was it a true country album or a pop album wearing a cowboy costume? Ignore the chatter and listen to the 30-year-old singer’s wistful melodies take flight, searching the universe around her to fill an aching sense of desire. You’ll hear some floaty guitar strumming working in harmony with funky disco beats, all of which have cemented the Texas native as one of music’s brightest stars. 8 p.m. Sold out.— Hau Chu

If the kids are getting antsy about being cooped up inside, it’s time for them to learn a few new games — and not the kind they can play on a Switch. The National Museum of the American Indian’s Winter Blast features Native Americans teaching games that have been played by children as far afield as Hawaii, Bolivia and the American Southwest. Even better: The all-day festival takes place inside the museum’s Potomac Atrium, so the fun goes on regardless of the weather. 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Free. — Fritz Hahn